George Bradley has taken up the reins as general manager of family-owned holiday lets business Suffolk Secrets.

His role at the Southwold-based firm will be to drive the business forward, grow market share and cement its position

George spent 10 years with Waitrose and the John Lewis Partnership where he managed doorstep delivery across the South East and introduced the John Lewis click and collect fulfilment into Waitrose stores - as well as bringing Waitrose to Saxmundham.

Most recently he was head of retail at Friday Street Farm, Saxmundham, where he repositioned the brand and led a full refurbishment of the shop.

George, who was born in Bury St Edmunds, will be responsible for a growing stable of more than 400 holiday cottages across the county, managed from three offices in Southwold, Aldeburgh and Woodbridge.

“Suffolk Secrets is a fantastic business with solid foundations and a good reputation,” he said.

“We have a superb portfolio of holiday cottages and the next step is to turn quality infrastructure into quality experiences. There is a raw romance about Suffolk – The food, the variety of landscapes from the coast to the forests and heaths, the array of activities, shops and restaurants and, of course, the people. It’s my job to package that up and deliver it to our customers so they want to come back again and again.”

: : Regional law firm Birketts LLP has appointed solicitor Graham Kershaw to its specialist shipping and logistics team which now consists of 13 dedicated staff.

Joining from City solicitors Gateley, Graham specialises in all aspects of international and domestic logistics with particular experience in handling shipping claims, acting on behalf of claimants, defendants and their insurers.

As well as managing cases ranging from containerised and bulk cargo disputes, to refrigerated and dangerous goods, Graham is also experienced in issues relating to yachts and other pleasure craft.

Graham said: “Birketts is a highly respected law firm in the shipping and maritime sector, and one of just a few that are outside London. Moving from the City has meant that I can enjoy the quality of lifestyle Suffolk offers while also developing my career and working with the same range of both UK-based and overseas clients.”

Head of the shipping team at Birketts, Nicholas Woo, added: “I’m thrilled to welcome Graham to the team. We continue to strengthen our market share in the sector, offering high quality work at a more competitive price compared to London firms.”

Graham is based at the firm’s Ipswich office but will also support colleagues at Birketts’ offices in Chelmsford, Cambridge and Norwich.

: : Essex and London based law firm Fisher Jones Greenwood has expanded its HR structure by appointing Rebecca Carter as its new human resource manager.

Rebecca joins the firm, which has offices in Colchester, Clacton, Chelmsford and Billericay, with strong HR experience having worked in a number of positions for both local and international organisations over the last five years. Rebecca is also a graduate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and holds qualifications in human resource practice management.

“To be joining an award-winning firm which has expanded so significantly and has such substantial plans for the future is a move I am very excited about. I look forward to helping the firm to continue with its leading performance and to grow successfully in the coming years,” she said.

Managing Partner Paula Fowler added: “With the success of the firm over the past few years it is very important that we continue to drive the firm forward in the right way and value our staff and our clients highly. Bringing a top quality and ambitious HR manager on board is very important to that process and we are delighted to have secured Rebecca’s services.”